| Invented in Germany, beer steins are a traditional | | | | inside of them. It is unknown who is responsible for |
| beer-drinking mugs, glasses or beakers, often capped | | | | inventing the hinged lid, but it became a popular |
| with a hinged lid which can be flipped open with the | | | | invention as it allowed users to quickly flip it open and |
| thumb. The term "stein" is the German word for | | | | shut it again with the same hand before and after |
| "stone," though in English the term has taken on its | | | | taking a sip. |
| own meaning. English speakers often use the term | | | | Long after the fly infestation passed in Germany, the |
| "beer stein" as "beer mug." In Germany, however, | | | | lids on beer steins remained as a means for keeping |
| the correct term for what we call a beer stein is | | | | the beer from spilling out while the drinker moves |
| "steinkrug," loosely translated to "stone mug." Early | | | | about. For the past several centuries, the hinged lid |
| beer steins were made of stoneware, hence the | | | | on beer steins has allowed drinkers to dance and |
| origin of the name. However, they were also | | | | swing their arms without spilling a drop while acting |
| commonly made of wood, porcelain, pewter, silver or | | | | ruckus and overly intoxicated in bars and pubs. |
| glass. | | | | Today, beer steins and the popular flip lid are |
| The lid on the beer stein was introduced in the late | | | | considered novelties and are not commonly used in |
| 1400's, when Germany and other Eastern European | | | | Germany. Many beer steins are decorated in painted |
| countries became repeatedly infested with flies during | | | | artwork and are mostly sold in Germany as souvenirs |
| the summer months. Laws were passed in Germany | | | | for tourists. Collector's steins are rarely used for |
| requiring establishments to cover all food and | | | | drinking and are often collected by enthusiasts for |
| beverage containers to keep the flies from landing | | | | display purposes. |
